<keyword id="19933581" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="prayagraj" source="keywords">Prayagraj</keyword>, a city steeped in culture and history, offers a delightful shopping experience for visitors looking to take a piece of its essence back home. From religious artifacts to exquisite handicrafts, the markets of Prayagraj boast a diverse array of items. Here's a guide to the 10 things you must consider buying when exploring the vibrant markets of this charming city. Religious Artifacts: Start your shopping spree with religious artifacts, as Prayagraj is a significant pilgrimage site. Idols of deities, rudraksha beads, and sacred scriptures make for meaningful souvenirs, reflecting the spiritual essence of the city. <keyword id="20242661" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kumkum" source="keywords">Kumkum</keyword> and Sandalwood Paste: Prayagraj is renowned for its religious rituals, and traditional items like kumkum (vermilion) and sandalwood paste are commonly used. Purchase these sacred substances, often sold in ornate containers, to bring a touch of spirituality to your home. Khadi Products: Embrace the spirit of India's independence movement by purchasing Khadi products. From clothing to accessories, the hand-spun and handwoven Khadi fabric is a symbol of self-reliance and a unique memento from Prayagraj. <keyword id="19903693" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="banarasi" source="keywords">Banarasi</keyword> Silk Sarees: Just a short distance from the silk city of Varanasi, Prayagraj offers an excellent selection of Banarasi silk sarees. Known for their intricate designs and vibrant colors, these sarees are a timeless addition to any wardrobe. <keyword id="20464202" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="wooden-toys-and-handicrafts" source="keywords">Wooden Toys and Handicrafts</keyword>: Explore the local markets for intricately carved wooden toys and handicrafts. These traditional items showcase the skilled craftsmanship of the region and make for charming gifts or decorative pieces. Allahabad Papads: Indulge your taste buds with the local specialty, Allahabad papads. These thin, crispy discs are made from lentil flour and seasoned with unique spices, providing a delicious taste of the city's culinary delights. Ganga-Jamuna Saris: A unique specialty of Prayagraj, Ganga-Jamuna saris are woven with two different colored threads symbolizing the confluence of the Ganges and <keyword id="20076776" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="yamuna" source="keywords">Yamuna</keyword> rivers. These sarees are not only beautiful but also carry a cultural significance. Chikankari Embroidery: Immerse yourself in the fine art of Chikankari embroidery, a traditional craft of Uttar Pradesh. Elegant and timeless, Chikankari garments and fabrics make for exquisite keepsakes reflecting the city's cultural heritage. Glass Beaded Jewelry: Adorn yourself with the vibrant and colorful glass beaded jewelry that Prayagraj is known for. From necklaces to bangles, these accessories add a touch of local flair to any ensemble. Ayurvedic Products: Explore the markets for Ayurvedic products, including herbal oils, soaps, and skincare items. Prayagraj is home to many Ayurvedic stores offering natural and locally-made wellness products. Prayagraj's markets are a treasure trove of cultural riches waiting to be explored. From religious souvenirs to handcrafted textiles, each purchase tells a story of the city's rich heritage. Whether you're a devout pilgrim or a curious traveler, these 10 items will not only serve as reminders of your time in Prayagraj but also as cherished tokens of its vibrant culture and traditions. Note: The article is based on content generated by AI models like Bard and Chatgpt. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/india/webstories/7-best-places-to-visit-in-prayagraj-you-must-explore-on-your-next-trip/slidelist/107429054.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">7 Best places to visit in Prayagraj you should explore on your next trip</a>

List of famous things to buy in Prayagraj

Jamnagar (Gujarat) [India], March 7 (ANI): Seems like the pre-wedding festivities of Anant Amband <keyword id="20178843" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="radhika-merchant" source="keywords">Radhika Merchant</keyword> aren't over yet. On Wednesday, several celebs including actors <keyword id="19895142" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shah-rukh-khan" source="keywords">Shah Rukh Khan</keyword>, <keyword id="19901647" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="salman-khan" source="keywords">Salman Khan</keyword>, Ranveer Singh and Arijit Singh once again arrived in Jamnagar, Gujarat where the three-day pre-wedding celebrations were held recently. Reportedly, the celebs arrived in Jamnagar to enthral the employees of Reliance Industries at a special event organized by the <keyword id="19898589" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ambani" source="keywords">Ambani</keyword> family. Several pictures and videos from the event have gone viral on social media. In one such video, SRK could be seen taking centre stage and delivering his iconic dialogue "Ek Ladki Thi Deewani Si" from the romantic film 'Mohabbatein' in Gujarati. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Exclusive: Shah Rukh Khan at Jamnagar today for pre #AmbaniPreWedding pic.twitter.com/iMkZOqE4Gl - ℣αɱριя౯ 2.0 (@SRCxmbatant) March 6, 2024 </blockquote> https://twitter.com/AwaaraHoon/status/1765421261545701587 SRK also shared a warm hug with <keyword id="19916798" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mukesh-ambani" source="keywords">Mukesh Ambani</keyword> and <keyword id="20054466" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nita-ambani" source="keywords">Nita Ambani</keyword>. Ranveer, on the other hand, set the stage on fire with his energetic dance performance on superhit tracks like 'Malhari' from the film 'Bajirao Mastani'. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Ranveer aingh performing at jamnagar♥️ pic.twitter.com/YV97GLp5fx - fatiim (@fatiim_9RS) March 6, 2024 </blockquote> In another video, superstar <keyword id="19913447" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="salman" source="keywords">Salman</keyword> Khan could be seen performing on stage to his hit tracks like 'Jag Ghoomeya', 'Teri Meri', 'Tere Mast Mast Do Nain', and others. https://twitter.com/Freak4Salman/status/1765433313190412447 <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> LATEST : #SalmanKhan performing on Jag Ghoomeya at Pre-wedding today. #AnantAmbaniSalman Bhai's energy pic.twitter.com/FYVUOTDl6z - BHAI (@salmanbhaijaann) March 6, 2024 </blockquote> Apart from them, singer Arijit Singh also arrived in Jamnagar and captivated the audience with his soulful tracks like 'O Maahi', 'Roke Na Ruke Naina', 'Janam Janam', and 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' among others. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Ae Dil Hai Mushkil✨#ArijitSingh pic.twitter.com/XyaQ1VVWRx - Rihaa️ (@Kumkum_013) March 6, 2024 </blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Janam Janam X Alvida #ArijitSingh Live Jamnagar #AmbaniPreWedding@OriyonmusicbyAS @tatwamasi_fndtn pic.twitter.com/M2Fymm1oH5 - Abhi✨️ (@_tatwamasi_) March 6, 2024 </blockquote> SRK, Salman and Ranveer were seen leaving Jamnagar on Wednesday night. The three-day pre-wedding festivities of <keyword id="20178842" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="anant-ambani" source="keywords">Anant Ambani</keyword> and Radhika Merchant were held in Jamnagar from March 1 to March 3. Guests from all around the world wre in Jamnagar, Gujarat to attend the pre-wedding festivities of Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani's youngest son, Anant. (ANI)

Shah Rukh Khan's Mohabbatein in Gujarati & more at Anant-Radhika's pre-wedding festivities

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A gastroenterologist shared three ways to improve gut health.</li><li>Exercise improves the environment in the gut to allow for "good" bacteria to flourish.</li></ul>Put the probiotic supplements down, as they likely aren't doing much for your overall gut health.<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bill-gates-diet-breakthrough-microbiome-2019-2">The gut</a>, or your gastrointestinal tract from esophagus to rectum, is home to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-affects-your-microbiome-2015-11">trillions</a> of living, breathing bacteria which influence weight, chronic disease, mood, and other health factors.Recent breakthroughs in gut research has led to a increased interest in improving gut health — and <a href="https://www.insider.com/study-probiotics-may-help-mental-health-but-more-research-needed-2020-7">supplement makers</a> promise daily dietary capsules are the best solution.But the state of your gut health is actually determined by your lifestyle, said <a href="https://www.kumkumpatelmd.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Kumkum Patel</a>, a board-certified gastroenterologist based in Orange County, California.Patel broke down the main factors that contribute to poor gut health, and explained why apples, deep breaths, and 7-minute walks will do more for the little bacteria in your bowels than trendy — and, at times, <a href="https://www.dandelionchandelier.com/2018/07/02/the-most-luxurious-gut-health-supplements-right-now/">pricey</a> — supplements.<h2>The problem with probiotic supplements for gut health </h2>Patel, who treats patients with a host of gut-related issues such as bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea, said life stressors set off the gut's bacteria by increasing stress and anxiety. Heightened stress changes nerve sensitivity in the bowels, Patel said, which alters the environment in the gut to allow for "bad" bacteria to grow and thrive, leading to digestive issues."If you deplete your mental health, it will eventually lead to the depletion of the happy hormones in the gut, which changes how you perceive pain," Patel said. "It leads to constipation and diarrhea. It can lead the growth of 'bad' bacteria, which promotes insulin resistance and causes you to overeat."Probiotic supplements promise to introduce "good" bacteria to counteract the "bad" ones, but these products won't fix the underlying reason for poor gut health, Patel said.Plus, everyone's gut microbiome contains a unique amount and array of organisms, meaning there's no one-size-fits-all probiotic supplement that contains the "correct" dose and strain of good bacteria to help every gut, Patel said. "The problem with all these supplements is that there's no one right formulation or dose for any of us, because all of us have a different balance of flora that's good versus that's bad," Patel said. "And that's ever-changing, it changes on an almost daily basis."<h2>Feed your gut with onions and apples, not supplements</h2>The first step in taking care of your gut is increasing the fiber in your diet, Patel said. The gut bacteria breaks fiber down into short-chain fatty acids, which aid in colon health, influence bacteria to produce "happy" hormones, stimulate insulin production, and help the immune system. Fiber is often conflated with "prebiotics," which refers to all organic compounds that feed gut microorganisms. While fiber is a type of prebiotic, all non-digestive starches that feed probiotics are called prebiotics, Patel said. Fiber and other prebiotics are found in onions, garlic, apples, bananas, oats, and many other foods. Since there are many types of prebiotics that feed a variety of microorganisms, Patel said <a href="https://www.insider.com/eating-same-foods-every-week-nutritional-deficiencies-eat-the-rainbow-2022-3">a diverse diet</a> is best for gut health.<h2>Your gut bacteria responds well to exercise and deep breaths</h2>Exercise, too, promotes the growth of <a href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220825-how-exercise-can-give-your-gut-microbes-a-boost">aerobic bacteria</a> in the gut, which stimulate the production and release of happy hormones, such as serotonin. As little as seven minutes of movement a day can improve the gut microbiome, Patel said, but she usually recommends a minimum of 20-30 minutes daily.Deep breathing exercises can also improve gut health: deep breaths calms down the nerves in your gut, which allows for certain bacteria to remain static long enough to flourish. <a href="https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/digestive-and-liver-health/diaphragmatic-breathing-gi-patients#:~:text=For%20those%20suffering%20from%20GI,%2C%20urgency%2C%20bloating%20and%20constipation.">Michigan Medicine</a> has a guide to practice deep breathing in a way that helps gut issues.Patel said simple lifestyle changes can go a long way for gut health, and said to remain wary of marketing for <a href="https://www.insider.com/poppi-soda-alternative-prebiotic-drink-functional-beverage-acv-health-2022-3">trendy "gut healthy" supplements and beverages</a>."You can't necessarily rely on just one source or one supplement because it's not enough," she said. "You need to rely on multiple sources of prebiotic and probiotic foods to give yourself diversity."

Throw your probiotic supplements away and do these 3 things instead, a gut health expert says

This cake would make you forget all the other flavours you've had so far, that's how intricate and extraordinarily has it been baked. Based on a <keyword id="116941" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="banarasi-saree" source="Orion">Banarasi Saree</keyword> and traditional Indian jewellery in terms of design, this 32-inch long cake is a blend of colours, motifs, floral embellishments and icing replications of zari work done on actual sarees. It is also shaped like a 'kumkum dibbi' (vermillion box), a symbolic part of the traditional makeup of an Indian woman. This cake masterpiece is baked by Prachi Dhabal Deb, who fondly named it "Shringaar Cake". In a conversation with ANI, the <keyword id="5708701" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cake-designer" source="Orion">cake designer</keyword> opened up about the motivation behind this unusually intricate design of the cake. "This cake was for an international collaboration from Italy where we were asked to make something representing our cultural fashion. I took inspiration for the cake's design from my saree and jewellery, which are both rooted in Indian tradition. My saree was gifted to me by my mother at the time of my wedding and hence, it is close to my heart," Prachi said. Prachi then went on to explain the actual process behind the design of the picturesque cake. "The colour of my saree and the design on its border were inspirations for the look of the cake. I used vegan royal icing and hand-piped each of the designs on the cake's surface. Then I coloured them with edible dust and edible gel colours," she told ANI. Noting the intricacies of the weaved designs on the saree, which took time to be replicated on the cake, Prachi said, "To get the same intricate look on the edible medium I piped thousands of individual dots through a piping bag and painted them with edible gold". At present, this enormous and minutely crafted cake is put up for display at Prachi's cake studio in Pune. Prior to this, Prachi had created a cake replica of Italy's Grand Milan Cathedral. She told about her motivation to make such artsy cakes, "I always believe that for an artist it is important that we keep on working. Since we are in the creative field, we get new ideas every day....my aim is to promote the art form as much as I can, and thankfully people all around have been very appreciative so it boosts our morale". SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/news/here-is-the-important-news-and-events-of-world-in-2022-month-wise/articleshow/96214627.cms">From war to layoffs to meltdowns to famous deaths: The year that was 2022</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/tata-technologies-ipo-everything-you-need-to-know/articleshow/96223886.cms">Tata Technologies IPO: Everything you need to know</a>

Not just Paan, you can now eat Banarasi Saree too

Veteran actor <keyword id="928841" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="arun-bali" source="Orion">Arun Bali</keyword>, best known for his work on TV show <keyword id="105559" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="swabhimaan" source="Orion">Swabhimaan</keyword> and blockbuster hit 3 Idiots , died on Friday morning at his residence in suburban Mumbai. He was 79. <keyword id="19988" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="bali" source="Orion">Bali</keyword>'s son Ankush said his father was suffering with Myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease caused by communication failure between nerves and muscles, for which he was admitted to a hospital early this year. Ankush said his father was responding well to the treatment but passed away at around 4.30 am.My father left us. He was suffering from Myasthenia gravis. He had mood swings for two-three days. He told the caretaker he wanted to go to the washroom and after coming out he told him he wanted to sit down and he never got up then, he told PTI. Bali made his acting debut with noted filmmaker Lekh Tandon's TV show Doosra Keval as superstar Shah Rukh Khan's uncle and went on to work in TV shows such as period drama Chanakya , Swabhimaan , Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand , Kumkum Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan , and P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh Ke . Some of his popular films include Saugandh , Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman , Khalnayak , Satya , Hey Ram , Lage Raho Munna Bhai , 3 Idiots , Ready , Barfi , Manmarziyaan , Kedarnath , <keyword id="13358496" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="samrat-prithviraj" source="Orion">Samrat Prithviraj</keyword> , and Laal Singh Chaddha . His last film Goodbye , also featuring <keyword id="6357912" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="amitabh-bachchan" source="Orion">Amitabh Bachchan</keyword> and Rashmika Mandanna, released on Friday. Bali is survived by a son and three daughters. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/covid-19-and-flu-coinfection-rising-in-india-who-warns-it-may-escalate-in-the-winters/articleshow/94682987.cms">Covid-19 and flu coinfection rising in India, WHO warns it may escalate in the winters</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/nykaa-enters-into-a-jv-with-dubai-based-fashion-retailer-apparel-group/articleshow/94686015.cms">Nykaa enters into a JV with Dubai-based fashion retailer Apparel Group</a>

Swabhimaan actor Arun Bali passes away at 79 in Mumbai

<ul><li><keyword id="126295" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Akshaya-Tritiya">Akshaya Tritiya</keyword>, also popularly known as Akha Teej is one of the most auspicious days for the Hindus and Jains. </li><li>Considered as the lucky day that can help bring prosperity into the household, this day is spent in puja and acts aimed at inviting health, wealth and prosperity. </li><li>In 2021, <keyword id="308929" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Akshaya">Akshaya</keyword> Tritiya will be celebrated on Friday, 14 May and people buy gold or precious metals on this day to invite luck.</li></ul>The other name of Akshaya Tritiya is Akha Teej. Celebrated during the spring season, this festival falls in the month of Vaisakha in the Hindu calendar marked on the third day (Tritiya) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon). Hindus and Jains in the countries of India and Nepal celebrate this festival enthusiastically to invite good luck and prosperity into their household. In 2021, Akshaya Tritiya is marked on the calendar on Friday, 14 May 2021. The literal meaning of Akshaya Tritiya is ‘Unending Prosperity’. It is said the day of Akshaya Tritiya brings the settings of Treta Yuga in all the other three Yugas of Satya, Dwapara and Kali. The important activities that are recommended for this day are Madhusudana ritual, Tulsi puja, and chanting of <keyword id="2622825" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vishnu-Sahasranamam">Vishnu Sahasranamam</keyword>. Charities are best performed on this day with the hope of getting added merits or Punya. What types of charities to do on Akshaya Tritiya On the day of Akshaya Tritiya, you can donate water, beds, clothes, kumkum, sandalwood, betel leaves, coconut, and buttermilk. People also donate bronze or silver vessels filled with water along with saffron, basil leaves, camphor, tulsi and betel leaves. This charity is believed to fulfill one’s wishes. The most popular charity on this day is donating slippers, shoes or sandals meaning any kind of footwear. Donating an umbrella on this day can bring success and remove obstacles from one’s way. Donating wheat on Akshaya Tritiya is believed to bring rains. People feed cows, birds and other living beings with rice, wheat and other cereals to escape from different kinds of sins and doshas. Buy gold or precious metals In many households, people buy at least one gram of gold on this day. Buying gold on this day is believed to usher prosperity into the household. If it is not possible to invest in gold on this day, people at least buy some precious metals. Iron must not be bought on this day. Jewelry, silverware and copper ware are popular shopping items topping the list on this day. Pujas and worships Chanting Vishnusahasranama or the mantras and slokas of Lord Vishnu is considered an auspicious thing to do on Akshaya Tritiya. People perform Lakshmi Puja on this day to invite the presence of Goddess Lakshmi, the giver of wealth, health and prosperity. On this day, the loved ones who have departed from the household are remembered. This day is very significant for women praying for the welfare of their husbands. Sprouts and fruits are distributed among the relatives and friends on this day. Some people observe a day long fast on this day to invite the blessings of Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Akshaya Tritiya 2021 -- buying gold, donating to the poor and other things you can do to cherish the day

Sri Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu descended on this earth on the Ashtami (eighth day) of Krishna Paksha (dark phase of the lunar month) in the month of Shravan (July – August). This year, Krishnashtami falls on Tuesday, August 30, 2021. Some people celebrate it on the next day also. Krishnashtami is also known and celebrated as Krishna Jayanti and Gokulashtami. A detailed expression calls this day Sri Krishna Janmashtami. Krishnashtami is very keenly observed in Hindu households. Krishnavatar or the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu is a very popular deity who is worshipped with great love, adoration, and respect. Krishnashtami is a happy and holy event that Hindu households celebrate with ardent devotion. In each household, people celebrate Krishnashtami in different ways -- could be done in a simple fashion and in an elaborate way. Krishnashtami is celebrated in temples too. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Krishna Janmashtami 2021 puja timing" comment="subhead" text="Krishna Janmashtami 2021 puja timing">Krishna Janmashtami 2021 puja timing</cmsannotation> In 2020, Krishnashtami falls on Tuesday, August 30, 2021. The Ashtami tithi begins at 11:25 pm on August 29, Sunday, and ends at 1:59 am on, August 31. Puja can be performed during this period. The Nishita (midnight) puja can be performed on August 30, from 11:59 pm to 12:44 am (31 August). People will organize Dahi Handi on Wednesday, August 30, 2021. Krishna Janmashtami 2021 puja procedure Before the day of Krishna Janmashtami, the household is cleaned and decorated. On the day of Krishnashtami, the devotees wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath. Then the puja altar is set up. Preferably, the puja altar can be set up in the puja room itself. If you are planning for an elaborate puja, you can organize the puja altar in the main hall also. Sri Krishna’s idol is the central attraction of the Krishnashtami puja. Some people use the regular idol or picture they have in their puja room. Some people buy a new image of Krishna every year for the puja. Depending on which material the Krishna idol is made of, you can plan for a holy bath for the idol; or can simply decorate the idol with flowers, clothes, and ornaments. In many Hindu households, people draw the images of little footsteps leading from the main door to the puja room. This practice symbolically represents Sri Krishna’s little feet bringing him into the household to bless the puja and the residents of the house. Krishna’s visit to every home during the puja is said to fill the home with prosperity and happiness. Light the lamp and offer incense to the Lord. Offer Chandan and kumkum. Offer special homemade prasad. Curd/yoghurt, ghee, butter, and other milk products and milk-based sweets are especially suitable to offer to Lord Krishna. Do not forget berries and other fruits. Sing the songs of Krishna and chant some shlokas and mantras related to Krishna. Wave camphor and conclude the puja. Share the prasad with the gathering and family as a mark of Krishna’s blessings.

Krishna Janmashtami 2021 puja time, date procedure at home

<ul class="summary-list"><li>In a proposal released Monday, the <keyword id="73593" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="University-of-California">University of California</keyword> President <keyword id="196640" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Janet-Napolitano">Janet Napolitano</keyword> recommends suspending the requirement that undergraduate applicants take either the <keyword id="6379242" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="SAT">SAT</keyword> or <keyword id="6556" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="act">ACT</keyword>. </li><li>Under the proposal, the University of California would develop a standardized admissions test of its own, to be deployed in 2025.</li><li>Critics argue — and research shows — that standardized tests favor students from families wealthy enough to pay for test preparation.</li><li>Over 1,200 colleges and universities have dropped <keyword id="3540818" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="standardized-testing">standardized testing</keyword> requirements for fall 2021, according to the National Center for Fair and Open Testing.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>Students may no longer need to take a standardized test to get into one of California's public universities — at least until the state comes up with a standardized test of its own.In a proposal released Monday, the University of California President Janet Napolitano recommended suspending the requirement that undergraduate applicants take either the SAT or ACT. The UC system already suspended that requirement for all fall 2021 applicants. Under Napolitano's plan, to be taken up by the UC Board of Regents, the requirement would be suspended all the way until 2025, after which "a new, UC-based test would be required."Applicants could still voluntarily submit test results, but beginning in 2023 test scores would impact course placement and scholarships, not admission. A new test, created in consultation with "K-12 educators, test experts, the California State University, and UC faculty" would be required in 2025 — but, if not ready, the state would drop standardized testing altogether.The proposal comes after the UC Academic Senate, composed of UC faculty, voted to keep current standardized testing requirements for the next five years until an alternative is developed, the <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-05-11/napolitano-says-suspend-the-sat-test-for-uc-admissions">Los Angeles Times reporte</a>d. Nevertheless, "The Senate is pleased that the president's recommendations are in line with the spirit of our recommendations," Chair Kum-Kum Bhavani told the paper.In October 2019, a coalition of school districts and organizations representing "historically marginalized" communities <a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6531854-SAT-Demand-Letter-to-UC-20191029.html">sent an open letter</a> to UC Regents demanding it immediately halt the use of "either SAT or ACT scores in order to be considered for admission to any campus." The groups argued that the test requirement constituted "unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, disability, and wealth."The letter was followed by litigation alleging the same. As <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/education/california-lawsuit-blasts-sat-act-exams-discriminatory-n1099416">NBC News reported</a>, a 2015 study found "that the lowest average SAT scores aware among students from families who made less than $20,000 a year, while the highest were among students from families who made more than $200,000" — a product, in part, of ability, or lack thereof, to pay for tutoring in preparation for the exam.Over 1,200 colleges and universities have dropped standardized testing requirements for fall 2021, according to the National Center for Fair and Open Testing. As <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/04/10/sat-act-2021-coronavirus/">The Washington Post reported</a>, nearly 50 schools dropped testing requirements between September 2018 to September," but, in the wake of COVID-19, "the pace of such decisions has rapidly increased this year."Neither The College Board nor ACT, Inc., the nonprofits responsible for current standardized admissions tests, immediately responded to requests for comment.Have a <keyword id="6355005" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="news">news</keyword> tip? Email this reporter: <a href="mailto:cdavis@insider.com">cdavis@insider.com</a>Read the original article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/university-of-california-may-drop-standardized-testing-requirements-2020-5">Business Insider</a>

University of California president recommends suspending SAT or ACT test requirement until 2025

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday flagged off the 51st K-9 Vajra-T gun at the <keyword id="90593" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Larsen-and-Toubro">Larsen and Toubro</keyword> Armoured Systems Complex at Hazira, Surat. The L&amp;T officials showed the minister the different manoeuvres of the K-9 Vajra-T, a tracked self-propelled howitzer. Singh sat in the vehicle on which the gun was mounted and was driven around the Hazira complex. The gun weighs 50 tonnes and can fire 47kg bombs at 43-kilometre distant targets. It can also turn around at zero radius. L&amp;T had in 2017 won the Rs 4,500-crore contract from the Ministry of Defence to supply 100 units of K9 Vajra-T 155 mm/52 calibre tracked self-propelled gun systems to the Indian Army under the Centre's 'Make in India' initiative. The <keyword id="3460822" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="K9-Vajra">K9 Vajra</keyword> contract involves delivery of 100 such systems in 42 months, which is the largest contract awarded to a private company by the Ministry of Defence. The Defence Minister also put 'tilak' and drew the auspicious 'swastik' symbol with kumkum on the new artillery. During the puja, he also offered flowers to the gun and broke a coconut. Singh said in his speech that he salutes the commitment and hardwork of employees of L&amp;T as the company's Hazira complex is a sign of "new thinking of new India". "I see this complex has a new and astonishing achievement... There were many sectors in India where private sector's participation was almost nil. Defence sector was one such example," he said. Under the 'Make in India' scheme, the government has taken many steps that will make the country a net exporter of arms in future, he said. The minister said the government has simplified the process of giving licences for defence manufacturing, established two defence industrial corridors and created a defence investors cell at the Ministry of Defence. "Today, when I saw the K-9 Vajra-T gun, I could see strong gun, but more than that, I could see a strong India... In defence, this is a brilliant example of Make in India," he said. The government will try its level best to remove all roadblocks that are coming in the industry's way of indigenous defence manufacturing, he said. J D Patil, senior executive vice-president for the company's defence segment, as well as A M Naik, chairman of the company, were present at the event. "L&amp;T has always been at the forefront for all the national causes...We collaborate with the DRDO and the armed forces to understand their requirement," Naik said in his speech. DSP ASG RDM RDM

Rajnath Singh flags off 51st K-9 Vajra at L&T gun making facility

“I remember when we would boss around the people working in our fields. And look at me now. All these Punjabi ladies bossing me around, complaining about the rotis I make!” Kaushaliya Devi, a local of Mau Kasbah in <keyword id="6357713" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Uttar-Pradesh">Uttar Pradesh</keyword>’s Chitrakoot district, is ranting about her new life – new only for the last 20 years. But there is something transient about migrating to a new place, a big city, from your village and kheti deep inside the innards of a country as vast as India – such that it makes people like Kaushaliya feel like she doesn’t completely belong. She is not alone. India, according to a report derived from a study by the International Organization for Migration, has the second highest number of adults in the midst of the migration cycle – that’s 3.5 million planning and 1.3 million preparing. Zoom in on Uttar Pradesh, home to the largest population in the country, and the numbers are mind-boggling. The 2011 Indian Census pegged U.P. as the state with the most out-migration (26.9 lakh) followed, not so closely, by <keyword id="30033" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bihar">Bihar</keyword> at 17.2 lakh. In <keyword id="6368366" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bundelkhand">Bundelkhand</keyword>, arguably among the most regressive swathes of land in U.P., migration is the norm with generations <keyword id="41744" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="UP">up</keyword>on generations of families opting for it in order to survive. “Peedhiyon se palayan” is a common, oft-heard phrase around these parts, especially in the post-Diwali season, with the winters in the offing when hordes of men and women make their way to the Manikpur railway station to catch trains to Delhi. The families of Bakta Bujurg village in the district of Chitrakoot for instance, often speak of “palayan” and “pardes”. Alpana Devi tells us that her husband Ramdeen left ten years ago, while Ramdeen who is visiting, speaks of the reasons, "Our options are to work on land owner's fields, for which we get Rs 150 a day. We can either eat or send our children to school; there is no way we can afford both." Ramdeen’s father too had migrated, “for the same reasons”. And decades later, he says, it’s still the same, “I don’t see any other or new options that have come up since the time my father worked to bring us up.” What about his children, we ask. "What about them?" Alpana responds, even as Ramdeen sums it up, "Yeh toh ab rivaaz hi ban gaya hai. (Migration has now become a tradition)," watching his 10-year-old son play. 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="Youtube" id="RtHbtc1fTEQ" title="पलायननामा: अपनों को तलाशती ये पथराई आंखे" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RtHbtc1fTEQ/mqdefault.jpg"></div>










 Migration as a socio-cultural-economic phenomenon in U.P. has been a steadily intensifying one. Between 2001 and 2011, over 5.8 million people between the ages of 20 and 29 migrated from the state in search of jobs, but the tragedy in this mass exodus lies not as much in the process of migration itself as in the outcome. The search for jobs and better opportunities pushes these migrants into the informal sector in cities like Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh, sometimes Mumbai, where, due to low educational attainment, they are often forced to make-do with low-paying jobs. As a result of which, they are often relegated to settlements and clusters on the peripheries of the cities they’re in – entire families crammed in one room, sharing the common toilet with other families in neighbouring shanties. We visited Rajapur in Delhi, one such popular settlement for scores of migrating Bundelkhand families, primarily from Mau, in Chitrakoot – where men work as drivers and car cleaners, women as cooks and maids, and the children dream of reality shows as they head out to the local government school. Arjun had dreamt of working in the wholesale business, but didn’t make the cut for “any company”. He currently cleans cars for a living and is aiming to be a driver, next. Kaushaliya Devi who cooks for a family in south Delhi lists "gas chalana” as one of her biggest challenges initially, “I couldn’t figure out the knobs! Now I’m super-fast!” nagging women of the house continue to be the bane of her existence even though she adds, “I make tasty food. You know, these city people don’t really know to cook!” Chunki recalls her early days and relives the pangs of loss she felt in the moment she left Mau for Delhi. “Oh! I cried and I cried. I couldn’t understand this Delhi, and why I was here.” And Kumkum misses the buzz of festivals back home – “It’s just not the same here,” she smiles, wistfully. But Kumkum hides other darker tragedies in her personal story of migration – one that reflects on an entire state and its defunct rural health system. According to an Indiaspend study, U.P. spends Rs 452 per capita on health, which is, on an average, 70% less than the others. And there’re more dismal figures here. There are 84% fewer specialists than needed, 50% fewer nursing staff, and the lowest share of health workers (19.9%) in India, as per an analysis conducted by the Observer Research Foundation in February 2017. The fact that T.B. continues to be a silent killer in Bundelkhand – as is clear in our reporting in Gopra, Banda – is just one illustration of the abysmal state the system is in. And this too is one of the big reasons for migration – the underbelly of a peculiar kind of medical tourism. “My husband had T.B.”, says Kumkum, “His condition was not improving. So we came to Delhi for his treatment.” As the treatment began, Kumkum, her husband, and their four kids took up accommodation in Rajapur. The children got enrolled in sarkari schools and since “school admission is such a problem now”, the family decided to stay on in Delhi. Kumkum’s husband eventually got better and regained his strength, but Kumkum still dreams of her special Purnima puja back home when "all the ladies would get together" and bond over a ritual – one that morphed into a ritual of exodus. The greatest driver of the migration story of course remains and continues to be linked with livelihoods – the basic need to earn, eat, feed, fend for your loved ones – in short, survival. The celebrated MGNREGA policy, put into place by the UPA government, has not been the very picture of a success story. A recent Indiaspend study revealed the shocking fact on how wage payments under the MGNREGA scheme have been frozen at the Centre across 19 states, as of October 31, 2017. In U.P., these payments have been released and are pending since 11 September 2017, but that’s only official data. Add the Aadhaar card requirements and bank account linkages, and couple those with job cards-hoarding village headmen at the rural level, and there is a clearer picture of the sheer dystopia that a “poor-friendly” policy has become. In the meanwhile, the migration story is deeply linked with the story of the overall deterioration of the country's most populous state – something is more than rotten in U.P., and specifically Bundelkhand. The proportion of households able to get 100 days of work, for instance, makes for another mind-boggling statistic, having decreased from 6% in 2013-14 to 2.13% in 2016-17. Figures it would do the current Yogi <keyword id="6360744" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Adityanath">Adityanath</keyword> government good to do some stock-taking on. The “sabka saath sabka vikaas” mantra is failing deeply in a place like Kabrai, for instance – a stone-mining haven in Mahoba where machines have replaced manual labour, which has, in turn, resulted in an acute employment crisis. Rajpal, who tried his luck with contracting in Kabrai, is now heading to Jaipur, to become part of the brick-laying unskilled labour force needed to construct, more malls, possibly. We asked his wife Sunita about the big move and her response is tempered with something close to rage, “What else can we do? There is nothing here that gives us money. Pet paalna hai, toh jaana hi hai.” And unfortunately, that is exactly what the palayan narrative of Bundelkhand boils down to. Author: Pooja Pande is Senior Editorial Manager at <a href="http://khabarlahariya.org/" target="_blank">Khabar Lahariya</a>. Khabar Lahariya is a rural, video-first digital news organisation with an all-women network of reporters in eight districts of Uttar Pradesh. <a href="http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-ZE468_1007MI_M_20131007001332.jpg" data-type="tilCustomLink">Image Source</a>

"The ghost town of Lalitpur: Uttar Pradesh witnesses a spike in the number of people migrating to cities"

By Komal Panchamatia Mumbai, Apr 12 () Acting is his first love and will always remain so but in the time of crisis, doctor-turned-actor Ashish Gokhale is on 24x7 duty at a private hospital treating the coronavirus patients.Gokhale was last seen on Sony TV's "Tara From Satara" in which he played Varun Mane, uncle to Roshni Walia's Tara. He has also acted in films such as Akshay Kumar's "Gabbar is Back" and a Marathi film titled "Mogra Phulaalaa".Before he made his acting debut in 2015 with Zee TV's "Kumkum Bhagya", he was practising medicine in Maharashtra's Konkan region.Five years ago, Gokhale shifted base to Mumbai where he started acting in both films and on TV, while straddling a job at a private hospital in suburban Juhu."Before lockdown I would go for shoots during day time and in the night I come to a multi-speciality hospital. I last shot for a TV show on March 14. I miss being on sets, the moment between 'roll camera and action' was magical."But I am in the role of Dr Ashish now. I don't have to take effort to be in this role. I have learnt it for five-and-half years and done practice too. Because of the coronavirus, I am into this 24x7. I want to save people. I want to help in curing this virus," Gokhale, 31, told in an interview.The general physician-actor said the situation may be worrisome, but the best way to save oneself is to stay at home."Human brain is inborn negative, your subconscious mind is negative. But your conscious mind is positive. Earlier people would say they are busy in their lives and have no time for doing exercise or meditation."One can contain this virus if they stay indoors and take necessary precautions. Besides, this is the best time to analyse yourself, read and indulge in some hobby."Gokhale said from March 24, the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the nationwide lockdown he has been working on round-the-clock shifts.He believes today there is new found love and respect for the medical staff as they are risking their lives to save the common man.But this might not last long, he added."Doctors are real heroes. They are the front workers today, they are risking their lives. Now the doctor is God. I remember whenever I would introduce myself as Dr Ashish, people would say not-so-good things about doctors. "There is an opinion that doctors fool patients to undergo several tests just for money. It was a thankless job. After a few days when everything is sorted, doctors will again be treated the way they were earlier."Gokhale said he pursued theatre in his student years but got into medicine because of his doctor parents.The actor said his father was completely against his acting career but later allowed him to go to Mumbai, the city of dreams."He finally did give me permission to come to Mumbai and said 'I will have to grow on my own'. I told him, 'I will do both, in the day time I will act and during the night, I will be in hospital'," he recalled.Days before the lockdown was announced, Gokhale said he was shooting for his to-be launched show "Kyu Rishto Mein Katti Batti", had wrapped filming for Marathi film "Lagna Kallol" and was on the verge of signing a web series.Once the lockdown ends, Gokhale hopes more challenging roles come his way. KKP RDS RDS SHDSHD

COVID-19: My focus is now on curing patients, says doctor-turned-actor Ashish Gokhale

<ul><li>As countries across the world continue to grapple with COVID-19, <keyword id="7124509" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="ZEE5-Global">ZEE5 Global</keyword>, which is present in 190 countries, sees a 60% surge in subscriptions and 20% growth in viewership in all markets. </li><li>The platform’s focus this year is going to be on expanding across geographies, localization and strengthening its content strategy.</li><li><keyword id="3234540" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Archana-Anand">Archana Anand</keyword>, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global further shares the growth plan, which are the key markets for ZEE5 global, and its retention strategy once the lockdown is lifted. </li></ul>As most countries across the globe continue being under lockdown, viewers are turning to OTT platforms to stay entertained and escape from the much scarier reality. ZEE5 Global has also seen a 60% uptick in the number of subscribers globally and a 20% growth in viewership in the past month due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Sharing the reasons behind this growth, Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global said, “We have seen a huge uptake in traffic and engagement on the platform especially in markets like the Middle East and Canada and our premium originals are a key driver. The growth in subscriptions is also on the back of a highly attractive offer we have rolled out on our annual pack. Apart from that, since the schools are closed, outdoor activities have been restricted and families are reliant on e-learning and online entertainment platforms to keep their kids busy. We have seen a nearly 80% jump in viewership of kids content over the period.” Anand is hopeful that the platform will continue seeing this growth across the countries it is present in, until the end of June. In addition to a rising demand for originals, ZEE5 has seen a 3X spike in viewership and watch time for movies as compared to early March. “The APAC region is where we have seen the highest traction for movies, especially in Bangladesh where the viewership has gone up almost 5X times over the previous month,” shared Anand. ZEE5 was launched in India back in February 2018 in 12 local languages. Later in October 2018, to cast its net wider, it was subsequently made available in 190 countries and territories—without any additional languages—to cater to the Indian diaspora market. Now, its focus is going to be on localization and making ZEE5 the mainstream player in a few markets, Bangladesh being the first on its list. “Our priority in Phase 1 of our global expansion has been to take our extensive content catalogue to the 40 Million South Asians scattered around the world who love Indian shows and movies, and make ZEE5 a household name for people across the globe. This year we will also focus on taking ZEE5 mainstream in specific markets. We further want to move beyond targeting just the South Asian audiences and create engaging content and storytelling for mainstream audiences. Bangladesh is one key market that we will be rolling out various localization initiatives in. We’ll share more details of this in the coming months,” says Anand. ZEE5 had planned to launch two local Bangladeshi Originals. However, due to the lockdown, it had to postpone the production of the show. Telling us what Anand had planned for Bangladesh before the outbreak of coronavirus, she said, “In Bangladesh, we unfortunately have had to push out one of our key initiatives, our Talent Hunt and postpone the shoot of the local Originals we had announced. We, however, hope to get both back on track soon, once the situation normalizes. We will continue to invest in technology to drive deeper personalization and improvements in the user experience for global markets through user interface changes and more. We also have various business partnerships with telcos and other ecosystem players in the pipeline waiting to be rolled out, and this will be done over the next several weeks.” In the past few weeks due to the nationwide lockdown, ZEE5 has seen a significant increase in viewership of content across multiple categories and genres. TV shows like Guddan - Tumse Na Ho Payega, Tujhse Hai Raabta, Sembaruthi and Kumkum Bhagya are among the most watched content. Apart from this, movies like Uri: The Surgical Strike, Shukranu, Dream Girl, etc are also driving a strong uptake in this category. It is also seeing a strong demand for ZEE5 Originals. However, after we resume normalcy, the challenge for ZEE5 will be to retain its users. And to do that, the platform will continue engaging with people through a constant flow of good content and storytelling across languages. It will also focus on personalization and improving user experience. Anand also said that she hopes to resume the productions and plans for on-ground initiatives once the situation normalizes.

ZEE5 sees a 60% uptick in subscription globally due to the COVID-19 lockdown

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/48786864.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> <keyword id="6361913" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ganesh-Chaturthi">Ganesh Chaturthi</keyword> is a festival celebrated by thousands across India, especially in the state of Maharashtra. And while the celebrations bring joy to many, it unfortunately doesn’t gel too well for our water bodies. 
 Every year, <keyword id="6358070" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Mumbai">Mumbai</keyword> immerses over 1.5 lakh idols (typically made of plaster of paris and chemical paints) in the waters as part of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, causing water pollution and destroying the fish. 
 
However, this Ganesh Chaturthi, due to the efforts of a Mumbai-based NGO, neither the fish, nor the water-bodies will have to suffer. 
 
After 12 years of cleaning up the beaches post visarjan and urging people to reduce the size of their idols, Sprouts Environment Trust decided to take Eco-Ganesha to the next level and ended up creating idols that the fish can eat. 
 
The idols are thus made of vegetarian fish food, corn, vegetable powder and are coloured with materials such as haldi, kumkum, chandan and other water soluble materials. 
 “These ingredients are not only harmless but are also useful for the fish,” says <keyword id="272187" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Anand-Pendharkar">Anand Pendharkar</keyword>, founder of the NGO <keyword id="3034938" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sprouts-Environmental-Trust">Sprouts Environmental Trust</keyword>. 
 
Priced at Rs 900, the idols took close to six-seven days to make and are nine inches in size. “The idea was to make smaller idols, so that the impact created is lesser. And, unlike the traditional idols, which take years to dissolve, these only take four to five hours,” stated Pendarkar. 
 
However, making them wasn’t as easy as it sounds as most idol makers refused to even entertain the idea of making idols with these materials or paint them with eco-friendly colours. “Finding and convincing idols makers was a tough task. Also, due to the short time we had to make the idols, dry them and then transport them from the artisans to the destination without any damage, we decided to limit our domain only to the Mumbai market,” he ruefully admits. 
 
The popularity of these idols can be guaranteed by the fact that all of their idols have already been sold, apart from the fact that their ad going viral on social networking sites. Admitting that the overwhelming response was beyond their expectations, Pendharkar says, “We knew that our idea was unique and sensitive to the problem at hand, but frankly we never thought that it would be the face of a tsunami of awareness and go viral this quick. We’ve received uncountable calls and messages from all over the world congratulating us on our catchy hashtag (#GodSaveTheOcean) and we can only thank Oglivy and Mather for assisting us in coming up with the same.” 
 
According to Pendharkar, the aim is to get more and more people think of the environment before buying traditional idols made of toxic materials and encourage artisans to make idols in different formats, keeping the environment as a priority. 
 
Let's hope this Ganesh Chaturthi onward, God really does save the ocean. 
 
Image credit: Sprouts Environmental Trust

#GodSaveTheOcean: This Ganesh Chaturthi, Mumbai NGO makes idols that fish can eat

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/532743ab6bb3f7f156bdf854-1200-750/holi8.jpg" border="0" alt="holi8" />REUTERS/Adnan Abidi</div></div></div>Holi is one of the most popular festivals in India, celebrating the coming of spring with bursts of color and fire. 
The ancient Hindu festival is also known as the festival of colors, coming usually near or on the vernal equinox. Hindus celebrate it by smearing each other with colored powder, spraying each other with colored water from pichkaris (water guns), or pelting each other with water balloons and eggs. 
The official festival begins today. We've collected some of the most spectacular photos from this year's festivities in India here.
<h3>Holi celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It originates from an ancient Hindu story about the fall of the demon king Hiranyakashipu and his evil sister Holika. The king's son Prahlada opposed his evil father. To silence Prahlada, Holika convinced Prahlada to sit on a bonfire with her. When the fire was lit, the god Vishnu protected Prahlada and let Holika burn. <div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/532737f0ecad04cf47a6d9e2-2640-1668/holi2.jpg" border="0" alt="holi2" />REUTERS/Adnan Abidi</div></div></div>On the eve of Holi, a bonfire topped with an effigy of Prahlada and Holika is lit. People then sing and dance around the fire. <div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53273b65ecad047c50a6d9e9-1200-924/holi15.jpg" border="0" alt="holi15" />AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh</div></div></div> The next day, people spray colored powder or colored solutions onto each other to celebrate Prahalada's triumph and the defeat of winter by spring.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/532737d8eab8ea0976a06142-3500-2444/holi11.jpg" border="0" alt="holi11" />REUTERS/Ahmad Masood</div></div></div>The main day of the Holi festival is called Dhuleti. <div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/532737d96bb3f7cd2bbdf850-3500-2298/holi12.jpg" border="0" alt="holi12" />REUTERS/Anindito Mukherjee</div></div></div>Teens and young people often dance to the beat of the dholak, a two-headed hand-drum common in South Asia.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/532737e1eab8eaee7ea0614c-5789-3651/holi14.jpg" border="0" alt="holi14" />AP Photo/Anupam Nath</div></div></div>Traditionally, washable, natural plant-derived colors are used, including turmeric, neem, dhak, and kumkum. In recent years, water-based commercial pigments have begun to be used.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/532737da6da811ea34d9dac5-3500-2517/holi10.jpg" border="0" alt="holi10" />REUTERS/Ahmad Masood</div></div></div>Anyone in an open area such as a street, park, or any other public place is fair game to be hit with color from the pichkaris or water balloons. Any private residence is fair game to be smeared with the colored powder.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/532737db69bedd84702742b0-5760-3840/holi13.jpg" border="0" alt="holi13" />AP Photo/Anupam Nath</div></div></div>Most often, children are sprayed with the color solutions.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/532737f36bb3f73726bdf855-3500-2492/holi6.jpg" border="0" alt="holi6" />REUTERS/Babu</div></div></div>While adults get smeared with the dry colored powder. <div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/532737e76bb3f7a02abdf857-3402-2312/holi7.jpg" border="0" alt="holi7" />REUTERS/Amit Dave</div></div></div>The festival is craziest for kids, but everyone gets in the on the fun.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/532737f16bb3f7f42ebdf858-3500-2471/holi5.jpg" border="0" alt="holi5" />REUTERS/Amit Dave</div></div></div>Widows do not usually partake in Holi, as they are supposed to renounce earthly pleasures. However, this year, the nonprofit Sulabh International organized a celebration for widows at an ashram in Vrindavan.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/532737d9eab8ea3304a06142-3500-2444/holi9.jpg" border="0" alt="holi9" />REUTERS/Ahmad Masood</div></div></div>The celebration is not wild in every part of India. In some Western parts of India, the festival includes far more praying and singing of hymns.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/532737f4ecad04f343a6d9e3-3500-2376/holi4.jpg" border="0" alt="holi4" />REUTERS/Amit Dave</div></div></div>In most regions of India, however, there is no prayer. The day is meant for partying and fun.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5327391d6da8119235d9dac6-3500-2350/holi3.jpg" border="0" alt="holi3" />REUTERS/Utpal Baruah</div></div></div>After everyone is soaked in color, participants clean up and head to their family's and friends' houses for traditional delicacies. The festival is an opportune time to mend fences with estranged friends and family - it is also considered "the festival of forgiveness."<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/532737f66da8111136d9dac5-3500-2442/holi1.jpg" border="0" alt="holi1" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em;" />REUTERS/Babu</div></div></div></h3>

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